Summary

  • Luke Littler beats Nathan Aspinall in final of Premier League Darts night nine in Belfast

  • Littler got past world champion Luke Humphries and reigning Premier League champion Michael van Gerwen to reach final

  • World number four Aspinall defeated Gerwyn Price in quarter-final and Peter Wright in last four

  1. Postpublished at 23:15 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Luke Littler smiles after his win in BelfastImage source, PA Media

    Luke Littler was all smiles after clinching his first night win in Premier League Darts. Read all about the action in Belfast here.

    The teenager is up to second in the table and will be back in action in Manchester in seven days' time.

    Be sure to join us for that - it's goodbye for now.

  2. Littler 'happy' to win first Premier League nightpublished at 23:08 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Luke Littler holds the Premier League night nine trophyImage source, PA Media

    Luke Littler, speaking to Sky Sports: "I'm happy to win, it's my first one. As people may have seen, I've changed my throw, just to take that little bit of extra time and then release the next two. I've put more practice in and it has paid off."

    On facing Nathan Aspinall in the final: "Me and Nathan get on very well and as soon as he won his semi-final, I went 'let's go'. I'm just happy to win my first night."

    Is the new throw due to rushing or being more comfortable? "It is either of the two, sometimes I'm rushing and then obviously I put more practice in tonight and it has paid off, it takes that little bit of time off before I release my next dart."

    What made him decide to do more practice? "I had a good practice game with Rob Cross before I came out tonight, we both had over 100 average and I said to Rob 'cheers for the game' but it got me up for it, I practised well and I'm glad I bought it on here."

    Winning in his second Premier League final: "In Berlin I missed the two at double 10, I tried to compose myself but it didn't work. I had a watch back before. I'm glad to win and that it was against a good friend in Nath."

    Managing schedule outside of Premier League: "That's all I've got to do. If you don't enjoy it, you won't perform or play well."

    Atmospheres of Premier League: "As soon as I got the call-up, I knew every arena had 5,000 or 10,000 plus. I can't wait for next week in Manchester. I can't wait, I know I've got Michael van Gerwen in the first round. Obviously, Nath will enjoy it in his hometown, it's close to my home and I can't wait."

  3. Littler wins in Belfastpublished at 22:59 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Some reaction from the night nine winner coming shortly...

  4. How the table now looks...published at 22:58 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Here is how the table is looking following tonight's results.

    After winning tonight in Belfast, Luke Littler has climbed three places up the table to second place, cutting Luke Humphries' lead to four points.

    Nathan Aspinall remains in the top four after reaching the final.

    Premier League Darts table: Luke Humphries 22, Luke Littler 18, Michael Van Gerwen 17, Nathan Aspinall 16, Michael Smith 13, Rob Cross 11, Gerwyn Price 7, Peter Wright 4Image source, BBC Sport
  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:55 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    #bbcdarts, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    David: Luke Littler is the Bazball of darts.

    Voice of the Mysterons: The number of times he leaves himself 170, and that bull, 25, bull, 125 finish clearly shows that Littler practises, and fancies himself for, the exhibition finishes.

  6. A fitting finalpublished at 22:53 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Result: Luke Littler 6-4 Nathan Aspinall

    Luke Littler shakes hands with Nathan AspinallImage source, PA Media

    I think if you asked Luke Littler who he wanted on the oche with him as he claimed his first night win in the Premier League, he probably would have said Nathan Aspinall.

    As soon as Littler landed that double five, Aspinall gave him a celebratory shove in the back before raising Littler's hand in front of the Belfast crowd.

    Aspinall looked as happy as Littler did to win there!

  7. Littler wins in Belfast!published at 22:51 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March
    Breaking

    Result: Luke Littler 6-4 Nathan Aspinall

    Luke Littler smiles to the cameraImage source, PA Media

    Littler is left 140 to win. Treble 20 and another treble 20 are perfect, but he narrowly misses on double 10.

    Back to Aspinall on 113. He goes 20, treble 19, but misses double 18 by quite some way.

    Littler has three darts at double 10, finds a single with the first, misses double with the second, but squirms it into the corner of the bed to seal victory.

    A 6-4 win in a brilliant final and Littler is champion in Belfast, the teenager's first Premier League night win!

  8. Postpublished at 22:48 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Littler 5-4 Aspinall

    Rod Studd
    Commentator on Sky Sports

    Two players enjoying the contest, enjoying playing each other at darts.

  9. Aspinall breaks to stay in finalpublished at 22:48 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Luke Littler 5-4 Nathan Aspinall

    Littler has the chance to take out 157 to win the match against the throw.

    He found treble 19, but needed treble 20 next, and misses.

    Aspinall returns needing 70 and got booed before throwing, which Littler looked to stop, very classy.

    The Asp goes treble 18, miss, double eight to bring it back to 5-4.

    Classy all round from these two.

  10. Littler breaks againpublished at 22:46 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Luke Littler 5-3 Nathan Aspinall

    Aspinall is left on 88, goes 20, treble 18, but missed the double seven to finish off.

    The door opens for Littler and he takes it as you would expect on tonight's form.

    A 51 finish from Littler is taken, hitting 11 and then tops at the second attempt to break again.

    He's 5-3 up and one leg away from a Premier League night victory.

  11. Three legs in a row for Littlerpublished at 22:44 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Luke Littler 4-3 Nathan Aspinall

    Back on his throw, Littler is now throwing with pace and precision.

    A 70 checkout this time for The Nuke, finishing on tops to go 4-3 ahead.

    Is this the night he wins a Premier League event for the first time?

  12. Postpublished at 22:43 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Littler 3-3 Aspinall

    Wayne Mardle
    Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports

    Is that the changing point?

  13. Postpublished at 22:43 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Littler 3-3 Aspinall

    Rod Studd
    Commentator on Sky Sports

    Luke Littler throws a dartImage source, PA Media

    A show-stopping finish! The Nuke detonates on the big stage in Belfast with that showpiece finish!

  14. Littler breaks with a 125 checkoutpublished at 22:42 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Luke Littler 3-3 Nathan Aspinall

    Luke Littler is up for this final and has a second ton-plus checkout to make it 3-3.

    Ever the entertainer, Littler goes bull, 25, bull - a sensational way to level the match.

    The Belfast crowd are stunned, even Aspinall high-fives Littler.

    All square!

  15. Littler holds firm in fifth legpublished at 22:40 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Luke Littler 2-3 Nathan Aspinall

    Almost a second ton-plus checkout in the final for Littler, who misses tops when attempting a 121 finish.

    Aspinall's response needed him to take 170 out to break, but he never got started on it.

    Littler gets three darts at tops, finally finding it on the third attempt to win leg five.

  16. Aspinall doubles lead on throwpublished at 22:39 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Luke Littler 1-3 Nathan Aspinall

    Nathan Aspinall celebratesImage source, PA Media

    Aspinall certainly seems to have saved his best darts of the evening for this final against Littler.

    He gets six darts to take out 81, with the fourth of which lands into double eight to go 3-1 ahead.

    Littler is hardly playing badly, The Asp has just been playing that well, averaging over 105.

  17. Postpublished at 22:37 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Littler 1-2 Aspinall

    Wayne Mardle
    Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports

    What I love is that he attacked the tops. I know he was high, but he attacked it. Littler does what he likes and I think it might be the way forward for a lot of players.

  18. Aspinall breaks in third legpublished at 22:37 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Luke Littler 1-2 Nathan Aspinall

    With Littler on 131, Aspinall hits three perfect treble 19s to leave himself a 36 finish before Littler gets a chance to.

    Needing two tops to take this third leg, Littler's first goes so far over the top of treble 20, even he jokingly sees the funny side to it.

    Aspinall checks out 36 with a double nine after missing 18s to break and go 2-1 ahead.

  19. Aspinall levels after Littler nears 170 finishpublished at 22:35 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Luke Littler 1-1 Nathan Aspinall

    An even second leg, but Littler, against the throw, leaves himself the 'big fish' of 170, to go 2-0 up, getting the chance to finish first.

    The first two darts into treble 20 are perfect, but the bull finish attempt lands in 25.

    Aspinall levels up with a 70 checkout, ending on double eight.

  20. Littler checks out 136 in the openerpublished at 22:33 Greenwich Mean Time 28 March

    Luke Littler 1-0 Nathan Aspinall

    Nathan Aspinall, against the throw, starts off this final with a maximum and two visits later, returns with a 140.

    Aspinall has a chance for a 124 checkout for a 12-dart leg, but falls short.

    Littler responds with a 136 checkout. Treble 20, treble 20, double eight, to go 1-0 up.

    A stunning start to this final.